NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division Partners with Emergent BioSolutions to Host Biopreparedness Workshop at the Counter Terror Expo in London
ROCKVILLE, Md., Apr 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today announced its support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESCD) in hosting a biopreparedness workshop entitled “A Bio-Attack: Are We Prepared?” The workshop aims to evaluate and strengthen NATO’s strategies and capabilities in managing consequences of potential chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attacks.
“Emergent is pleased to help organize this workshop to shine the light on biopreparedness on a global scale,” said Allen Shofe, senior vice president corporate affairs, Emergent BioSolutions. “Some recurring themes are collaboration, supply of medical countermeasures, and the seamless provision of emergency services in case of an attack. It is a great experience to share ideas and knowledge that will shape future actions to strengthen a nation’s biodefense infrastructure.”
Dr. Jamie Shea, Deputy Assistant Secretary General, NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division stated, “The defence community recognizes that modern technology increases the threat and potential impact of terrorist attacks. Following the successful implementation of the Defence against Terrorism Programme of Work in 2004, we have expanded our programme to focus on current security challenges. This workshop emphasizes the need for more civil-military cooperation and interaction, sharing of expertise, standards, procedures and capabilities in order to be successful.”
Workshop participants, including civilians and military officials representing NATO, the European Union, non-government organizations, and industry, engaged in an interactive discussion to assess medical response, public information and communication, and legal barriers to military support during civilian crises. The goal is to identify gaps in civil-military crisis cooperation in responding to large-scale incidents occurring in urban, heavily populated areas.
The biopreparedness workshop preceded the NATO Defence against Terrorism Workshop at the Counter Terror Expo, which is being held from April 25 to 26 in London. The Defence against Terrorism Programme of Work was developed in 2004 as a fast route to capability development and as a facilitator for Allied nations and NATO entities to take the lead in individual projects.
About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions protects and enhances life by developing and manufacturing vaccines and therapeutics that are supplied to healthcare providers and purchasers for use in preventing and treating disease. Emergent’s marketed and investigational products target infectious diseases, oncology and autoimmune disorders. Additional information about the company may be found at https://www.emergentbiosolutions.com.
About the NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division
The NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESCD) within the NATO International Staff was created to deal with a growing range of non-traditional risks and challenges, such as terrorism, the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, cyber defence, and energy security. The division provides NATO with a Strategic Analysis Capability to monitor and anticipate international developments that could affect Allied security. The ESCD brings together various strands of expertise already existing in different parts of NATO Headquarters. The creation of the ESCD underlines the determination to move new, non-traditional security challenges to the centre of Allied attention. For more information, visit http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/index.htm.
SOURCE: Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions
Investors Contact:
Robert G. Burrows
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1-301-795-1877
BurrowsR@ebsi.com
or
Media Contact:
Tracey Schmitt
Vice President, Corporate Communications
+1-301-795-1800
SchmittT@ebsi.com